COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,THINK TANK,update

 

Press material Monday, 13 October 2025

● European Council   13/10/2025 20:11 | Statements and remarks | Statement by President António Costa following his participation in the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit   I would like to thank President Donald J. Trump and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi for their leadership and for hosting this Summit for Peace. My first thoughts go to the victims of terrorism of the 7 October attack and the civilian victims of the war in Gaza. All living Israeli hostages are now free and finally reunited with their families after more than two years of unbearable pain. This is a moment of joy, hope and celebration. It is also a moment to remember those who did not return.  I would like to commend President Trump and all the mediators for the success of the Peace Plan. This culminates efforts from the international community towards a ceasefire, the two-State solution and a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.  The European Union is fully committed to actively engage with all parties involved on the implementation of this Peace Plan. We stand ready to participate in the International Peace Board and to support all processes - transitional governance, recovery and reconstruction. As soon as conditions allow, we will immediately expand our humanitarian assistance. The European Union is the largest humanitarian donor to the Palestinians, and we will reinforce our efforts. Consistent with our commitment to a reformed Palestinian Authority, we will continue supporting it and its reform agenda ensuring that Gaza will be part of a democratic state, free of terrorism. We have allocated €1.6 billion to the Palestinian Authority for 2025–2027 and we will continue to contribute, also with our expertise in the areas that will be fundamental in the post-conflict Gaza. On security, the EU will contribute to Gaza’s stabilisation and reconstruction, including through our missions EUBAM Rafah and EUPOL COPPS, which stand ready to resume their important role in border security, capacity-building and police training. The road towards peace based on the two-State solution, with Israel and a State of Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security, free of terrorism, is still long. But today we are united here in our pledge to making it happen. Together, we will help rebuild Gaza. So that Israeli and Palestinians can heal.  Today we hope for peace. Today we celebrate hope.   Visit the website

● Council of the EU

13/10/2025 17:51 | Media advisory | Press briefings - Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy) of 20 October 2025 and Environment Council of 21 October 2025   The press briefing ahead of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy) of 20 October 2025 will take place on Thursday, 16 October at 10.00, followed by the press briefing ahead of the Environment Council of 21 October 2025. These back-to-back and "off the record" press briefings will take place in a hybrid format: EU accredited journalists will be able to participate and ask questions either remotely or in person at the Europa building press room. To attend the event remotely, please use the link below to register and have the possibility to ask questions. Those who already registered for previous press events of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy) and Environment Council do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Thursday, 16 October at 09.00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline. Registration page Media accreditation for journalists Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy), 20 October 2025 Environment Council, 21 October 2025   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   13/10/2025 16:39 | Meetings | Main results - Justice and Home Affairs Council (Justice), 13 October 2025   Justice ministers met  in Luxembourg to discuss rule of law developments in the field of justice, the future of Eurojust and the fight against Russia’s impunity regarding crimes committed in connection with the war in Ukraine.   View meeting page ● Council of the EU   13/10/2025 14:48 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - Foreign Affairs Council (Defence), 15 October 2025   The Foreign Affairs Council with defence ministers will exchange views on defence readiness.   View meeting page ● Council of the EU   13/10/2025 14:46 | Press release | Chemical Weapons: Council renews restrictive measures for another year   Today, the Council decided to prolong the application of individual restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons by another year, until 16 October 2026. The restrictive measures apply to 25 persons and 6 entities in total. Those listed are subject to an asset freeze and the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to them or for their benefit is prohibited. Additionally, a travel ban to the EU applies to the natural persons listed. The sanctions regime aims to contribute to efforts of the EU to counter the proliferation and use of chemical weapons, as well as to support the implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (CWC). Background On 22 March 2018, the European Council confirmed that the use of chemical weapons, including the use of any toxic chemicals as weapons under any circumstances, is completely unacceptable, must be systematically and rigorously condemned and constitutes a security threat to us all. On 15 October 2018, the Council adopted the legal framework for restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons. This framework currently applies until 16 October 2026. On 20 May 2025, the Council decided to additionally impose restrictive measures on three Russian entities involved in the development and use of chemical weapons by Russian troops in Ukraine. The EU follows developments in this domain closely and can decide to renew sanctions and amend the list of targeted persons and entities in case its objectives have not been met. Consolidated text (20 May 2025): Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/1544 of 15 October 2018 concerning restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons How the EU adopts and reviews sanctions (background information) Elimination of chemical weapons (background information)   Visit the website ● General Secretariat of the Council   Think Tank Review - October 2025   The role of far-right parties in their respective countries and especially in EU institutions, the new budget proposal for the period 2028-2034, the architecture of European space governance, an EU industrial policy in accordance with the green transition objectives, the future of transatlantic relations, and China’s claim to a new world order are some of the issues discussed in this Think Tank Review.   Read full post